Category Archives: Topics

New Tirzepatide + Glargine U100 vs. Basal-Bolus Trial (SURPASS-6)

A new CT.gov record has been observed for a Lilly-sponsored Ph3 trial (SURPASS-6) comparing the safety and efficacy of tirzepatide vs. insulin lispro U100 in T2DM patients inadequately controlled on glargine U100 with or without metformin. Below, FENIX provides an overview of SURPASS-6 as well as insight into why the trial makes sense in the context of similar LCM trials conducted for Ozempic, Trulicity, Tanzeum, and Bydureon.

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Thoughts on Autolus’s CAR-T Program; Q2 2020 Earnings Call

On Thursday, August 6, Autolus held their Q2 2020 earnings call (press release/ presentation). The company announced that updated data from the AUTO3 Ph1/2 ALEXANDER study in ≥3L DLBCL will be presented at ESMO on September 18, 2020. In addition, management stated that they have experienced minimal interruption to their clinical program from COVID-19, except for the Ph1 AUTO4 trial (≥2L r/r TRBC1+ TCL) where data readout has been delayed from Q4 2020 to H1 2021. Below, Celltelligence provides key takeaways from the call, and thoughts on how Autolus’s CAR-T program, particularly in ALL (AUTO1) and DLBCL (AUTO3), may be able to compete with CAR-T leaders Novartis, Gilead, and BMS.

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Danilo Verge and David Kendall Join Zealand

Zealand announced it has appointed Danilo Verge and David Kendall to lead the company’s Medical Affairs organization. Verge, the former VP of AZ CVRM and VP of Novo Medical Affairs USA, will serve as Zealand’s Head of Global Medical Affairs for Zealand’s metabolic and gastrointestinal franchises (pictured bottom left; view LinkedIn profile). Kendall, former CMO at MannKind and VP of Lilly Global Medical Affairs, will serve as Senior Global Medical Advisor Metabolism (pictured bottom right; view LinkedIn profile). Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the new leadership in the context of Zealand’s emerging commercial business as well as Verge and Kendall’s moves.

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Gilead Highlights No Impact of COVID-19 on Yescarta Sales; Two New LCM Initiatives for Yescarta; Q2 2020 Earnings Call Summary

On Thursday, July 30, Gilead held their Q2 2020 earnings call (press release / financial report / presentation). The company highlighted resilient Yescarta sales despite the COVID-19 pandemic, growing 11% QoQ and 37% YoY WW. Of note, Gilead highlighted the recent approval of Tecartus and ongoing LCM efforts for both approved CAR-T’s. Below Celltelligence highlights key LCM initiatives for 2021 and the significance of a synergistic authorized treatment center (ATC) onboarding protocol for Gilead.

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High-dose Trulicity Approved by FDA

Lilly announced FDA approval of high-dose Trulicity (3.0 and 4.5mg; view updated label here) which is in-line with FENIX’s projection of August-September 2020 (previous FENIX insight). Per the updated Trulicity label, patients requiring additional glycemic control can uptitrate to the 3.0mg Trulicity dose after 4 weeks on the 1.5mg dose. An additional 4 weeks on the 3.0mg dose is required before moving to the 4.5mg dose. Below, FENIX provides an overview of the high-dose Trulicity label update and additional thoughts its approval.

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Medtronic to Restructure Business; Nemaura proBEAT and sugarBEAT Launch Updates

Two diabetes-related news items have been observed: yesterday, Medtronic filed a form 8-K, reporting that the company is reorganizing its current business with the intention of saving ~$450M annually (view Form 8-K) and Nemaura Medical presented at the LD 500 virtual investor conference and discussed updates to its sugarBEAT and proBEAT US and ex-US commercial plans (press release; view presentation). Below, FENIX provides insight into how the Medtronic reorganization may impact its diabetes business as well as an updated perspective on the potential impact of Nemaura’s non-invasive CGM.

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bluebird bio Highlights Ide-cel Resubmission; Q2 2020 Earnings Call

On Wednesday, August 5, bluebird bio released their Q2 2020 financial results (press release). No new data was reported; however, the company highlighted the successful resubmission of their ide-cel BLA application. Below, Celltelligence provides insights on ide-cel’s potential approval date in the EU and a possible alternative messaging strategy for the CAR-T in earlier lines of therapy.

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Former Head of BI Diabetes/CardioMetabolism Joins Novo

Boehringer Ingelheim’s former Head of Medicine for the Diabetes and CardioMetabolism business, Jyothis George (pictured below; view LinkedIn profile), has recently joined Novo Nordisk as the VP of Clinical, Medical, and Regulatory for Northwest Europe. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on George’s move, including insight into why it seems to make sense given Novo’s expanding focus beyond diabetes.

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ACC 2021 Scheduled as Live Conference

ACC announced that its 2021 conference is scheduled to be held live in Atlanta, GA from May 15-17 (view conference website). While there is no additional information on the ACC 2021 website, it seems likely that there would be a large virtual component to the meeting, catering to those who are unable or unwilling to travel. Furthermore, the conference organizers are presumably making backup plans to host an entirely virtual conference in the event the COVID-19 pandemic prohibits a live event.

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Libre 2 Available for Medicare Patients; Senseonics Receives Positive Medicare Local Coverage Determinations

Abbott announced its Libre 2 CGM system is now available for Medicare patients. Additionally, Senseonics announced that three Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) issued Local Coverage Determinations for the use of implantable CGMs. Below, FENIX provides insight into the Abbott and Senseonics Medicare news, including thoughts on how Abbott is more likely to benefit than Senseonics/Ascensia due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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